Will my college course affect my university application?

Hi, I'm applying for university for September 2025 and I'm trying to work on it early to make things easier in the future. I'm currently doing a Pearsons Btec level 3 in Animation and Vfx and I was wondering if that would affect my uni applications. 4/5 of my course choices are for Illustration as I'd rather go down that pathway than animation. However because I'm currently doing a Creative Media course rather than an Art & Design course Im worried if it will affect my chance of getting into these courses. For some extra context Im planning on applying for Illustration at Edinburgh University, Arts University Bournemouth, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of the arts London.

Original post by justgrace

Hi, I'm applying for university for September 2025 and I'm trying to work on it early to make things easier in the future. I'm currently doing a Pearsons Btec level 3 in Animation and Vfx and I was wondering if that would affect my uni applications. 4/5 of my course choices are for Illustration as I'd rather go down that pathway than animation. However because I'm currently doing a Creative Media course rather than an Art & Design course Im worried if it will affect my chance of getting into these courses. For some extra context Im planning on applying for Illustration at Edinburgh University, Arts University Bournemouth, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of the arts London.

Hi @justgrace

Art and Design courses are typically pretty open with your previous qualifications and courses when you apply for uni. Your current course will probably offer skills and work that you could collate together for a portfolio if you need one for your university application (most unis will tell you if they require to see your work). Most creative courses like to see a passion for creativity in your application, but aren't usually too specific about where this creativity has been directed previously.

I now study fashion design, and prior to my uni application I had only really studied art/fine art at school, so I had little fashion related work. However, my tutors liked my portfolio as it still reflected my design/art style and my skillset, just in a less subject specific way. I always recommend to upcoming students to make your portfolios a reflection of yourself, and make sure you can talk about the work you include, whether it relates directly to your uni course or not. Some unis will also specify if you need to include particular things in your portfolio/application too.

I personally wouldn't worry too much about your current course being different to your desired uni course. What you could do, is if you have some free time, you could begin some illustration related work outside of your studies? This could just be to get away from studying for a bit, and having a play around with your artwork, but it could help build up your application for uni.

I hope this helps - but feel free to ask anything else! 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU

Original post by justgrace

Hi, I'm applying for university for September 2025 and I'm trying to work on it early to make things easier in the future. I'm currently doing a Pearsons Btec level 3 in Animation and Vfx and I was wondering if that would affect my uni applications. 4/5 of my course choices are for Illustration as I'd rather go down that pathway than animation. However because I'm currently doing a Creative Media course rather than an Art & Design course Im worried if it will affect my chance of getting into these courses. For some extra context Im planning on applying for Illustration at Edinburgh University, Arts University Bournemouth, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of the arts London.

Your qualification is fine but make sure you’re looking at their portfolio requirements early and putting together additional work in your free time to meet their requirements. Illustration courses will want slightly different types of work generally.

Will my college course affect my university application?

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